I don't understand how a sewing machine " knows" what kind of thread one is using.......I personally use whatever color I need at the moment........not the brand...at least for general sewing, piecing.--and I'm talking sewing threads only.... Needles, yes, there one must know when to change out for particular purpose. Also, it is a good practice to replace needle after each large project....or several small ones.....and clean that "lint trap" often! When things really go haywire and my little tracks can't fix it, I pack that monster up (BL) and off to techie it goes.....and I have found that one takes that trip so much more often than my Viking ( older one)... Do you think all that extra technology causes these "sewing machines" to be more touchy?